The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Sustainable Development, Lisa C. Jawahir, is partnering with Commerce Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire to enhance Saint Lucia’s agro-processing capacity.
Their joint initiatives aim to increase the value addition of local agricultural products, reduce reliance on imports, and boost exports. By improving infrastructure, supporting smallholder farmers, and fostering public-private partnerships, they aspire to create a more resilient and competitive agricultural sector that aligns with the national development goals set for 2026.
Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture held a productive meeting with Minister Hilaire, marking a significant step towards strengthening Saint Lucia’s agro-processing capabilities. This important consultation brought together various stakeholders, including small business owners, Invest Saint Lucia, the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards, and the Saint Lucia Small Business Association.
According to Minister Lisa C. Jawahir, “Together, we have set the tone for a renewed national focus on increasing value-added production—ensuring that our local goods not only meet the highest quality standards but are also more marketable and competitive on the global stage.”
In a post on her Facebook page, she further emphasized, “Minister Hilaire and I are moving with urgency and purpose. The vision is clear: to transform our agricultural and export sectors into engines of sustainable growth, innovation, and opportunity. Saint Lucians can look forward to tangible benefits as we elevate agriculture and our export potential.”
Notably, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has been encouraging citizens to “eat what we grow,” as the government seeks to implement strategies that enhance investment in agribusiness.
As the government advances, the focus remains on empowering farmers, increasing production, and ensuring food security to meet the growing needs of its citizens in an increasingly volatile global marketplace.
Key initiatives under this collaborative effort include:
– Re-establishment of Agro-Processing Plants: Reactivating and modernizing existing agro-processing infrastructure is a priority, with plans to establish functional processing facilities across the island to support local value addition.
– 2026 Budget-Aligned Investments : The 2026 budget includes targeted allocations for agricultural transformation, emphasizing the upgrading of post-harvest handling, packaging, cold storage, and small-scale processing units—particularly for bananas, cocoa, root crops, and fresh herbs.
– Youth & SME Integration : A pilot “Agro-Processing Incubator” has been launched through the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Commerce, providing training, access to equipment, and market linkages for youth-led and women-owned agro-SMEs.
– Public-Private Partnership Framework : Although still in development, a formal PPP policy for the agro-industry—including tax incentives and land leasing mechanisms for processing hubs—is projected to be finalized by mid-2026. This collaborative effort signifies a commitment to transforming Saint Lucia’s agricultural landscape into a more productive and sustainable sector for years to come. – [R.A]